Duval County FlArchives Biographies.....Kelly, William J. November 10, 1872 - 
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File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by:
Nancy Rayburn http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00025.html#0006128 October 19, 2015, 1:35 am

Source: Vol. II  pg.97  The Lewis Publishing Co. 1923
Author: History of Florida, Past and Present  

        WILLIAM JAMES KELLY, president of the Consolidated Naval Stores
Company, is one of the men of large affairs who is contributing to the
prosperity and advancement of the city of Jacksonville and its various
interests and institutions. He has been identified with his present line of
business during the greater part of an active and successful career, in which
he has been associated with some of the largest companies in this and other
states dealing in naval goods.
	Mr. Kelly was born in Bladen County, North Carolina, November 10, 1872, 
and is a son of JAMES ARCHIBALD and MARY ELIZABETH (McNEIL) KELLY, natives of 
the same county, the former born in 1835 and the latter in 1845. JAMES A. KELLY 
followed agricultural pursuits in North Carolina until 1883, in which year he 
removed to Georgia, and was there identified with the turpentine business until 
his death. He never cared for public office, although he was a public-spirited
citizen and a stanch democrat in his political views. As a fraternalist he held
membership in the Masons, and his religious connection was with the
Presbyterian Church, in the faith of which he died in 1910. His worthy wife
passed away in 1892, having been the mother of six sons and three daughters, of
whom one died in infancy.
	The second in order of birth of his parents’ children, WILLIAM JAMES 
KELLY was still a lad when taken to Georgia, and there his education was 
acquired in the public schools. His first occupation was that of clerk in a 
general store, at a salary of ten dollars per month, and in 1887 he was 
advanced to be bookkeeper for the same company, that of Lightsey, Hyers & 
Company. In 1890 he came to Florida as bookkeeper for West Brothers in Madison 
County, and continued to be with the firm until 1895, then becoming associated 
with J. W. and W. S. WEST in the dressed lumber business. At the same time he 
acted as manager for the turpentine business of J. W. West at West Lake, 
Hamilton County, Florida. In January, 1896, Mr. Kelly bought a one-half 
interest in the turpentine business of Mr. West. Mr. West’s health failing, in 
the summer of 1896 Mr. Kelly sold his interest in Hamilton County, Florida, and 
bought an interest in the firm of Wiggs, West & Company, taking over the 
management of the business at Savannah, Georgia, which he supervised until 
1900, when it was merged with the Peacock, Hunt & West Company. Mr. Kelly was 
vice president of this concern up to 1904, when it was reorganized as the West, 
Flynn & Harris Company. Mr. Kelly was vice president of the latter company. In 
1908 he became vice president of the Consolidated Naval Stores Company of 
Jacksonville, and in 1913 was elected president thereof, a position which he 
holds at present. He has been largely instrumental in developing this large 
enterprise to its important proportions, and while so doing has gained the 
implicit confidence of his associates by his display of acumen, judgment and 
general executive capacity in the handling of large deals. He has various other 
business interests and is widely and favorably known in commercial and 
financial circles generally. Primarily a business man, Mr. Kelly has never 
sought nor cared for public office. He belongs to the First Presbyterian Church 
of Jacksonville, and was one of the organizers of W. B. Barnett Lodge, F. and 
A. M., also holding membership in Palestine Commandery, K. T., Savannah,
Georgia; and Alee Temple, A. A. O. N. M. S., of the same city. In politics he
adheres to the principles and supports the candidates of the democratic party.
	On May 21, 1902, Mr. Kelly married Miss CORA HALE, who was born in
Kansas City, Kansas, and to this union there have been born three children:
JAMES WALTER, who is a graduate of the Lawrenceville (New Jersey) School, and
is now attending Princeton University, and MARGARET and WILLIAM HALE, who are
attending school at Jacksonville.


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